Smoke and CO Detector Regulations

Smoke detectors are to be located on every level of a residence. The detectors should be located at the base of each staircase, before the first step, located on the ceiling.

In homes with only one level, with only one (1) sleeping area, a smoke detector is to be put in the hallway, outside the bedrooms, as shown on figure I.

In single floor homes, with two (2) sleeping areas, two (2) smoke detectors are required outside each sleeping area as shown in figure II.

In multi-level homes, smoke detectors should be located outside sleeping areas and at every finished level of the home, as shown in figure III.

Basement level smoke detectors should be located at the bottom of the basement stairwell, as shown in figure IV.

All attics (finished and unfinished) must have at least one smoke detector.

WHERE NOT TO LOCATE SMOKE DETECTORS

To avoid false alarms and/or improper operation, avoid installation of smoke detectors in the following areas:

Kitchens - smoke may cause a nuisance alarm

Bathrooms - excessive steam from a shower may cause a nuisance alarm

Crawlspaces - where you are physically unable to stand up completely

Forced air ducts - used for heating and air conditioning…air movement may prevent smoke from reaching detector.

Near furnaces of any type - air and dust movement and normal combustion products may cause a nuisance alarm.

The “Dead Air” space - where the ceiling meets the wall, as shown in figure V.

The peak of an “A” frame type ceiling. “Dead air” at the top may prevent smoke from reaching the detector.

WHERE TO LOCATE CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

Carbon monoxide detectors are to be put in the hallway outside the bedrooms, as shown in Figure I. Carbon monoxide detectors are required wherever bedrooms are located. The detectors should be placed in the hallways, as shown in Figures I, II, III and IV.

All carbon monoxide detectors are to be installed as per manufacturers requirements/recommendations.